Frame for the firing pin mechanism in hand grenades



21, 1960 K. H. SUNDEN 2,941,471

FRAME FOR THE FIRING PIN MECHANISM IN HAND GRENADES Filed Nov. 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 21,1960 K. H. SUNDEN- FRAME FOR THE FIRING PIN MECHANISM IN HAND GRENADES Filed Nov. 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FRAME FOR THE FIRING PIN MECHANISM IN HAND GRENADES Karl Henrik Sundn, P.0. Box Haga, Lindesberg, Sweden Filed Nov. 29, 1956, Ser. No. 625,042

2 Claims. (Cl. 102-64) The present invention relates to a frame for mounting the firing pin mechanism and detonator in hand grenades and similar weapons. Previously such frames were die cast, and did not break up into splinters upon explosion of the hand grenade. By means of frames according to the present invention that drawback is eliminated. A characteristic feature of any frame made in accordance with the present invention is that it consists wholly, or at least essentially, of one or more pressed or bent sheet metal components, whereby the frame takes part in the formation of splinters when the hand grenade explodes. Preferably, the sheet metal components have a smaller thickness than the grenade case, whereby a particularly good splinter effect is obtained.

For the better understanding of the invention a preferred embodiment thereof as applied to a frame for the firing pin mechanism in hand grenades will now be described by Way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the frame according to the preferred embodiment, with the associated firing pin mechanism and detonator mounted on a hand grenade;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are a side elevation, plan view, and

end elevation, respectively, of a sheet metal component 20 which forms the firing pin mount of a frame made in accordance with the invention;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are a side elevation, plan view, and end elevation, respectively, of a sheet metal component 21 which forms a portion of the detonator mount in the same frame;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the assembled frame according to the same embodiment;

Fig. 9 is a top view of the same frame provided with a safety pin and with an optional safety pin guard 31.

Reference numeral 1 designates the casing of a hand grenade which is provided, in the preferred embodiment shown, with the firing pin mechanism 2 described and claimed in my copending application Serial Number 624,893, filed November 28, 1956. Other firing pin 'mechanisms may be used. In the one illustrated, the firing pin 3 is adapted to strike the primer of the detonator .4 when the hand grenade is thrown, so that said primer is ignited in order that the grenade may explode.

The firing pin 3 is an integral part of a cock 6 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 8 which in turn is mounted in a frame 7 which is made in accordance with the present invention. A helical firing pin spring 9 mounted on shaft 8 has one of its ends 10 pressing against cock 6 and its other end 11 engaging the frame 7.

The cock 6 is retained in its secured position by a handle 12 serving as a safety means for the thrower. The end 13 of said handle, which is of hook shape, engages with a hook-shaped projection 14 on the frame 7. During transport the handle 12 is kept in position by a safety pin 15.

According to the embodiment of the frame 7 which is shown in Figs. 1 to 9 the said frame consists of the sheet metal components and 21 and of a tubular sleeve 22 which has an external as well as an internal thread.

United States Patent firing pin 15, the other leg 15" of which overlies safety.

handle 12. The pair of holes 17 are available for inserting another needle to hold cock 6 for removing handle 12 for inspection, as explained in the said application. The

web 25 of component 20 is plane and is provided with a central hole 26.

A detonator mount or intermediate member comprises a sheet metal component 21 which has a plane web portion 27, which is provided with a central hole 28. It also has projections or flanges 14 and 29 located on diametrically opposed sides of hole 28. The projection 14 is the projection described above, with which the end 13 of the handle 12 engages when the grenade 1 is secured. The

projection 29 engages with the web 25 of the metal sheet 20 when the frame 7 is assembled, in which case the holes 26 and 28, which are of the same size, are aligned.

The detonator mount also comprises a sleeve 22. The two sheet metal components 20 and 21 are held together as a subassembly by this sleeve 22 which is provided above its external thread 29' with a shoulder against which the plane portion 27 of the lower sheet metal component or intermediate member 21 rests when sleeve 22 is assembled in holes 26 and 28. The portion of the sleeve 22 which extends above the plane web 25 of the sheet metal component 20 is upset to form a rim portion 30 over the top of the web 25. The upsetting is done in such a way that part ofthe upset portion 30 rests against the projections 23 so that the sleeve 22 is nonrotatably united with the firing pin mount, i.e., sheet metal component 20. Rotation of the sheet metal component 21 is prevented by the projections 14 and 29 being located between the flanges 23 which are spaced from each other the same distance as the width of the projections 14 and 29.

Projections 19 may be provided for an additional safety means described in the above-mentioned application. These additional means are made integral with the sheet metal component 20, the said projections protruding from the legs 23 and being located in the same plane as the web 25.

As appears from Fig. 9, the legs 23 of one of the sheet metal components 20 may be provided with a bent extension or guard 31. The extension 31 covers the end of the safety needle 15 so that the point of that end will not injure the thrower.

The invention is not restricted to the features described above and shown in the drawing, but the sheet metal frame may be changed in various ways within the scope of the appended claims, and the firing pin mechanism can also have a quite different construction.

I claim:

1. A grenade detonator mounting threadedly received in a recess in the end of a casing enclosing an explosive, comprising in combination, a detonator receiving sleeve having interior means to receive a detonator, said sleeve being exteriorly threaded to be received in said grenade casing and having a projecting upper tubular portion extending upwardly from a shoulder on said sleeve, an intermediate member of sheet metal having a central aperture received over said projecting upper tubular portion and abutting said shoulder, said intermediate member having a first upstanding flange and a second upstanding flange positioned oppositely to said first flange, a firing p-in mount of sheet metal having a U-shaped configuration, said mount having a web with an aperture received over said upper tubular portion above said intermediate membenthe top'o'f said upper tub'ular portion and said first upstanding flange both being crimped over said web to secure said sleeve, intermediate member and firing pin mount tightly together, said firing pin mount having atpairof'spaced apart'flange. portions extending upwardly from said web and abutting the-ends of said first and,

secondflanges, a firing fpin, means mountingsaid firing pin on the firi'nglpin mount flange portions, said second upstanding. flange on the intermediate member having a catch means formed on its upper end, a s'afety'handle extending oversaid firingpin and having one endipivotally secured in said catch means, and a safety release pin de- 4 tachably secured tosaid firing pin mount holdili gs'aid safety handle in inactive position.

2. A grenade detonator mounting in accordance with claim 1 wherein said interior means to receive a detonator 5 comprises threads.

References Cited'in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 2,203,640 Hines eta1. June 4, 1940 2,562,928 Lewis Aug :7, ;1 9 5l 2,646,750 Diels d. July 28, 1953 

